My mom was in the hospital this week due to fever, extreme dehydration and asthma. Fortunately the doctors were able to get everything under control and send her home in good condition. In fact, when I spoke with my mom yesterday she was already talking about preparations she and my dad are making for a seminar they are speaking at next weekend! I’m so grateful that her sickness didn’t become something more serious and that she is quickly getting back to her normal self.
Still, this incident with my mom really made me stop and think about “moms” and “motherhood”. I thought a lot about my own mom in particular. She is my mentor, friend, confidant and hero. I find myself, as an adult, deeply desiring to become more and more like her. Growing up my mom always had a way of turning a seemingly tragic situation into something we could laugh about. For example, when I was in sixth grade my eyes were closed in my yearbook picture. I came home from school the day we received our picture packets mortified and certain I could never show my face to my classmates – or anyone at school, for that matter – ever again. Instead of taking pity on me, and wallowing with me in my sorrow, my mom lovingly convinced me that this was not the end of the world and that we could most certainly find a way to laugh away the embarrassment. She was right, and we did. In fact, my mom has the best sense of humor – far surpassing that of, just about, anyone I know. When I think things can’t get any worse, or I find myself sinking deeper and deeper into the pit of despair, I simply ask myself, “What would Mom do?”
As I look at my own children – all three of them – I often wonder, “What will they say about me when they are grown?” Will they remember how I was able to find the silver lining in the difficult situations, or will I be known for shriveling up or cowering in fear when life gets tough? Will they remember me as a model of not taking myself too seriously, or will they always see me as someone who doesn’t laugh enough?
Proverbs 31:25 says: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (How I long to be like that!) A little further on in that chapter it says in verse 28, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Can you imagine being a woman who not only walks with strength, dignity and a darn good sense of humour, but one whose husband and children honour her with praise and respect? It may seem like a dream too far out of reach, but I believe it is a challenge worth investing my heart and soul into.
I know I have a long way to go before I become anything remotely as great as my mom – or the Proverbs 31 woman – but I have a wonderful role model who encourages me to keep up the good work. Being a mom is a tough job, but my hope is that I may be able to face the ups and downs – and sometimes the “sideways” – with strength, dignity and a great sense of humour!
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Aim, I would agree that your mom is great! I have wonderful memories of her and I can almost hear her laughter now. I can certainly remember how she smiles so intensely and so completely that her smile doesn’t just spread across her lips, but encompasses her entire face…and her eyes are in there too, sparkling and dancing! Oh, she’s a hoot. What a beautiful person. (And an amazing cook too, I might add. All I can say is beef stroganoff and chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting. Oh yum.)
And another thing, don’t take this the wrong way, but…YOU DID NOT TELL ME YOU STARTED A BLOG! Oh Aim, you have succumbed indeed.
But I know from personal experience that anyone who has the privilege of knowing you — even at a blogging distance — will be all the better for it. You are a treasure.
Thanks Aim. Yep…I started a blog…we can all blame Joel.
Thanks for the encouragement – You totally made my day! (By the way, I believe it was at your home that I was introduced to cheese toast for breakfast. Am I right?)